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Topic Review (Newest First)

09-10-2006 10:10 PM

sailingdog

Quote:

Originally Posted by thoran

which is best? is it ever smart to have both? am I off the wall for a Tartan 3400?
Thanks

If you can afford both...get both...if you can only afford one, get the sail slides/track. The electric winch can fail, and then you would have to horse the sail up against the added resistance of an electric winch and have no sail track to make your job easier, just when you need it most.

09-10-2006 10:48 AM

PBzeer

I too have a StrongTrack on my boat, that I bought with my new StackPack full batten main. It has worked very well, and like the other poster, find I can raise it by hand. The main thing I like about it is that there are no balls or bearings to ever replace. It's about as KISS as you can have in a addon track.

09-10-2006 10:33 AM

thoran

slide systems vs electric winch for main halyard

which is best? is it ever smart to have both? am I off the wall for a Tartan 3400?
Thanks

09-05-2006 05:13 PM

knothead

Quote:

Originally Posted by DICKWATERS

Installed a Strong track/slide system three years ago and have been cruising full time in the Caribbean since then. It was easy to install and my heavy, full battened main can be raised by hand. I just have to tension with the winch.

I'm a 70+ yo singlehanding a Passport 40 with a 56 ft mast.

Removed and inspected the plastic track six months ago and did not see any UV degradation.

Have sold and installed many of these systems and without exception the customers report they are well pleased with the cost and performance.

09-05-2006 03:13 PM

drynoc

Main Sail Slides

I use Kiwi slides. They come from http://www.anzam.com/rr_index_003.htm. They are easy to install, very low tech, very durable (at least in my low test sailing area - the Potomac River) and very inexpensive compared to all those systems. I am able to hoist my 250 sq ft main without a winch without any trouble. The only shortcoming thus far has been my amateurish sewing, which I have had to repair once in the last year.

09-03-2006 10:45 AM

DICKWATERS

Installed a Strong track/slide system three years ago and have been cruising full time in the Caribbean since then. It was easy to install and my heavy, full battened main can be raised by hand. I just have to tension with the winch.

I'm a 70+ yo singlehanding a Passport 40 with a 56 ft mast.

Removed and inspected the plastic track six months ago and did not see any UV degradation.

09-03-2006 09:47 AM

thoran

Battcar systems

This is an older thread, so I am wondering if anyone has any more information or preferences. I have looked at Harken and Schaefer...are there any obvious advantages to one vs the other? I am ordering a Tartan and they are partial to Harken; but wanted to see what the experts out there thought!

02-19-2001 05:51 PM

RichH

Mainsail slide systems

Simple candle wax rubbed into the track and onto the sail slides will allow the mainsail go up and down with minimal friction. Then carve a piece of the paraffin to loosely fit inside the track, put it between the uppermost sail and next uppermost slides and the wax ''carving'' will keep on applying wax as you raise and lower the sail. Works on the Harken cars too.

02-19-2001 04:56 PM

A.Kehrt

Mainsail slide systems

I have a Passport 37 and I am considering installing a Harkin Battcar system on my mainsail. It''s the original sail with plastic slides and is extremely difficult to get up and down. Right now, I intend to install the system on my existing sail, which is not a fully battened sail. Would anyone like to comment on the Harkin system in general, and also on using it on a sail that is not fully battened? Any pertinent comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

01-27-2001 10:22 AM

psotis

Mainsail slide systems

Thanks for the info!

Phil

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